Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-10-20
CATARRH.

THE TERM CATARRH is APPLIED TO A
L peculiar disorder of the nostril. and hd-
jacent parts, which prevails to an alarming
extent, and is productive of very serious
consequences.
The most prominent and characteristic
feature is a morbid discharge from the head
varying in its nature at different times
II some there is an almost constant flow
of clear, aCrid fluid, but oftener an offensive,
purulent or muco-purulent, greenish-y yellow
matter is secreted, which accumuates in
the nostrils or drops into the throat, neces-
stating its frequent removal by blowing the
nose or expectoration, and often by both
processes. Sometimes patients feel as
though their head was in a state of rotten
ness, SC. great is the amount Of matter dis
charged and SO fetid is its odor. The pa
tient is greatly annoyed by the constant
dropping into the throat of the mo bid
matter from the head, and as a retumbe
position naturally favors the flow downward
his rest is frequently disturbed from this
cause. Many sufferers are obliged to lie With
the head very much elevated in order to
sleep with some degree OF comfort.
IL others Il tough, viscid and offensive
phlcgm collects behind and above the soft
palate, in the passage between the throat and
head, adhering to the parts with gluish tenac-
ity. Its lOdgment embarrasses respiration
and creates sensation of irritation and un-
easiness in the affected locality, which gives
rise to constant and almost Irresistible de.
sire TO relieve that discomfort by drawing
the mucus into the throat SO as to eject it by
the mouth. This practice, populariy known
as "hawking," is characteristic of catarrh,
and proves as EN- arrassirg to the one af-
fected as it is disagreeable to those around
him.
Again, the offensive matter hardens and
deposits itself on the membrane in the shape
of dry, hard concretions. which are dis
charged by way OF the nostiils or throat in
Jumps or fragments OF deep green tint. In
some cases these incrustatiOns accumulate
to such an extent as to form regular plug
in the nose which ObstructS breathing and
produce serious discomfort So firmly do
these incrustations adhere to the point of
attachment that their removal usually re-
quires the most violent efforts; not unfre-
nucntlv they have 10 be torn from the mem
hTaur. Occasionally n solid cast of notable
size is expelled, Oh which there are gems rally
traces of blood, but in some cases the cast
pleheuth tubular aprenranee, being of exact
shape OF the nasal cavity. This condition fs
indicative of liberation, which, in time,
may destroy the bony structure of the nose
and produce subsequent fattening of that
organ.
Cases are occasionally met with In which
thick, viscid, Shiny secretion coats the
membrane of the nasal cavities and then
putreties, giving rise to a stencil which 10
really overpOwering, and sufficiently fetid
to poison the atmosphere of a whole room;
aud there are others in which all the secre-
tons of the membrane are suspended. caus-
ing an unpleasant feeling of dryness, heat
and feverishness in the head and nose-a
condition popularly known as Dry
Catarrh." .',
The disease speedily extends TO the air
cavities OF the bones of the forehead and
face, giving rise to dist. essing sensation of
heavy weight or compression over the fore
head, especially in the region above and be-
tween the eyes, and to a feeling OF fulncss,
heat, irritation, sor ness or pal in the nos.
trils near the root of the nose, as well as in
he upper part of the throat, above and be-
hind the soft palate. Sometimes there is
pain obstinately fxc6 in some particular
part, as in the temple, on the top OF the
head, at the back of The neck, or behind the
orbits, and, occasionally, pain manifests
itself in the face of so severe character
that it is frequently mistaken for neuralgia.
The breath is always tainted, and at times
assumes an Exceeding fetid and sickening
odor. In some cases it becomes so revolt
ingly offensive as to render the sufferer an
object Of disgust to himself as we'll as to
others.
The nasal membrane is thickened and
contested, causing the nose to be stopped up,
sometimes on one SIDE sometimes ON the
other, and often on both, giving rise to u
disagrreable, stutfy sensation in the head,
and occasioning violent and prolonged
paroXysms Of sneezing.
The voice is weak, lndistinct and husky.
or 81 nasal character, displaying sort OF
smiling quality. Oftentimes there is Il con-
tnuous hoarseness and discOrdance There
is also n sense of irritation in the part,
and frequent attempts to clear the throat of
phlegm, producing the sound ''hem,' moro
complain of an uncomfortable feeling of
Iullness. or a choky sensation in the throat,
and in others of distressing and almost
constant dryness for the temporary relief OF
winch they have to swallow frequently.
Others; again, speak OF constant bad or
nauseous taste in the mouth OIL throat.
The stomach generally suffers more or less
and becomes weak and irritable: the appe-
tite is capricious and nearly always bad in
the morning. The patient is languid, unable
to perform mental or physical labor with
the usual facility, is nervous, depressed in
spirits, at times fearful, timid, agitated and
inclined to drowsiness and sleep, the mem
ory weakened and permanent impairment
seriously threatened
The mucous membrane soon becomes
moIbidly sensitive to unfavorable intu-
ences and in spite of the utmost care be-
comes affected from the slightest causes, SO
that at last q breath of wind upon the lining
OF the nose or throat becomes productive OF
cold, and gives rise to serious disturbances
of the respiratory organs Thus the patient
is subject to frequent and repeated colds,
each attack aggravatlng the disease by CIV
extent of surface than its predecessor. In
this manner the difficulty spreads from or
gan to organ, invading the throat, larnyx,
trachea and bronchial tubes, until, en-
the finer ramificatfons of the bronchi, when
but slight impulse is required to send it to
the lungs. Catarrh may, and often does,
affect other organs in the body, especially
as the stomach, bowels, kidneys, etc.
By the employment OF proper inhalatlons
in the form of medicated vapor mot steam
or spray) we are able to produce immediate
and direct action upon the diseased surface
in the pharynx and nasal passages, for air
will find its way into the most remote and
intricate cavities. where it is utterly impos-
sible to make fluid applications by these
means every case can be cured.
Persons desiring treatment by this system
of practice can use the remedy at home as
well as at our office, and which will cause
no inconvenience or hindrance to business
whatever.
have seen SO many Of these cases cured
that do not consider any case hopeless un.
less tne disease mas advanced TO the chest
Even then the inhalations aid us in dis.
solving the mucus and in contracting ana
healing the cavities, Which nothing else can
references from those already cured.